Akshay Kumar’s comedy caper crosses ₹220 crore globally despite harsh reviews and outdated humour
June 20, 2025 | After three weeks at the box office, Housefull 5 has silenced its critics — at least financially. While the film was panned for its regressive humour, objectification, and formulaic writing, audiences have nonetheless shown up in large numbers, solidifying its place as a commercial hit.
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🎬 Week 1: Strong Opening Fueled by Nostalgia & Akshay’s Pull
Released on June 6, the fifth installment in the Housefull franchise roared into cinemas with 5,000+ screens worldwide and the novelty of dual endings (5A and 5B).
- Day 1: ₹24 crore
- Day 2: ₹31 crore
- Day 3: ₹32.5 crore
- Week 1 Total: ₹127.25 crore (India nett)
This was Akshay Kumar’s fastest ₹100 crore opener since Good Newwz.
📉 Week 2: Expected Dip, Still Solid
Despite critical backlash, the film held its ground.
- Weekend 2: ₹26.5 crore
- Week 2 Total: ₹37.5 crore
- Cumulative (2 Weeks): ₹164.75 crore
The global gross had already touched ₹212 crore by Day 9.
🪙 Week 3: Decline Begins, But Not a Collapse
As new releases claimed screens, audience fatigue set in.
- Week 3 Estimate: ₹8–10 crore
- Total India Nett (3 Weeks): ~₹175 crore
- India Gross: ₹200 crore
- Worldwide Gross: ₹220+ crore
✅ Final Verdict: A Semi-Hit to Clean Hit
With a production cost of ₹225 crore, Housefull 5 hasn’t yet hit profitability via box office alone. But with digital, satellite, and overseas rights factored in, trade experts are calling it a “clean hit”, if not a blockbuster.
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🎯 What Worked:
- Akshay Kumar’s return to comedy
- Massive release with up to 21 shows/day
- Franchise value and curiosity around dual endings
- Lack of major box office competition
🚫 What Didn’t:
- Critically slammed for sexist, slapstick content
- Weak female characters with little to no agency or dialogue
- Outdated writing and formula-driven storytelling
- No emotional or intellectual engagement
📝 Bottom Line:
Housefull 5 may not represent the creative best of Bollywood in 2025, but it proves that star power + scale + nostalgia still equals commercial success in Indian cinema. Whether that’s a victory for storytelling, however, remains a debatable question.
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